Category: General

Just a month after moving to Southern California, on 10/21/07, Shawn & Katie woke to strong and hot Santa Anna winds blowing outside, and news of a wildfire in Malibu.  As they watched the local areal coverage, the camera showed the fire spreading to Shawn's work, HRL Laboratories, and one of the HRL buildings on …

Shawn graduated from Georgia Tech on August 4th, 2007 with his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering.  Shawn & Katie celebrated with their family and Shawn's adviser, Dr. William Alan Doolittle.  Shortly afterwards, Shawn accepted a position at HRL Laboratories in Malibu, California, and Katie accepted a position at Ventura County Hematology and Oncology in Oxnard, California.  …

After Shawn successfully defended his Ph.D. Thesis, Shawn & Katie took a celebratory trip to Europe.  They spent 18 days in late June and early July visiting Amsterdam, Netherlands; Rome & Venice, Italy; Mykonos, Athens, Katakolon & Corfu, Greece; and Split, Croatia.  They had a great time exploring the history of Europe, and enjoyed a …

Europe 2007 – 6/29/07 – Venice.  Click here for pictures.             We awake early this morning for a 6:50am train to Venice.  We thought this was going to be easy – a quick ride on the Metro to Termini station and then on our train to Venice.  We already have our ticket so there was …

Europe 2007 – 6/28/07 – Rome.  Click here for pictures.             We slept in a small bit this morning.  This is our last day and we only have a few things left to do.  We go to our supermarket to pick up breakfast and a snack for later.  Our first stop this morning is the …

Europe 2007 – 6/27/07 – Rome.  Click here for pictures.              We woke up early this morning to beat the crowd to some much needed photo-ops.  First the Trevi Fountain, but unfortunately the fountain was turned off and being cleaned.  We still managed to get a few pictures while dodging the cleaning men.  We could …

Europe 2007 – 6/26/07 – Rome.  Click here for pictures.             We slept a little late this morning because yesterday was so long.  Once we are dressed we walk to find food.  This morning we are going to try a supermarket.  We each get some fresh bread, cheese, a banana, and a carton of milk.  …

Europe 2007 – 6/25/07 – Rome.  Click here for pictures.             The alarm goes off early this morning, and we have lots of things to do today.  I get my shower first (it is so nice to have your own bathroom, I’ll miss it tonight).  Shawn gets his shower and then we eat a quick …

Europe 2007 – 6/24/07 – Rome.  Click here for pictures.             At 3:30am we woke up, got dressed, and finished packing our bags to walk to Central Station.  We buy our ticket, but unfortunately we must wait forty minutes for the next train.  When it finally comes we board the train and head toward the …

Europe 2007 – 6/23/07 – Amsterdam.  Click here for pictures.             On our third day we woke up much like yesterday.  We waited for our hot croissants, but they never came.  We left with hungry stomachs, but decided to wait for breakfast till we arrived at our first day trip – Zaanse-Schans.             We left …